HBO PREVIEW MIKEY GARCIA VS JUAN CARLOS BURGOS

Las Vegas, NV-WBO 130lb champion Mikey Garcia (33-0, 28 KOs) of Oxnard, CA appears to have “the goods” on the surface. He’s got decent speed, is a good puncher and has excellent technique. He also comes from a boxing family as his trainer and brother Robert Garcia is also a former world champion. Robert, a very good fighter himself did have a flaw and that was his chin! I am of the opinion that the perception that he’s headed for greatness is far too premature.

Mikey Garcia

Unless you have a good chin you just won’t make for a long time at the elite level unless you possess unnatural gifts in the defense department. In my view this comes down to much more than skill. It comes down to natural gifts in speed and reflexes. After watching Garcia go down in his last bout against a limited brawler in Roman Martinez (27-2-1, 16 KOs), a fighter not known for his knockout power, there is a question mark in my mind on what this kids potential is. Saturday he fights Juan Carlos Burgos (30-1-2, 20 KOs), a fighter that is being overlooked. Not that Garcia is underestimating his opponent. He comes off as extremely mature beyond his years. I believe though that if Burgos can take Mikey’s punches early, this becomes an extremely interesting and competitive fight.

MIKEY HAS “LEAKS” IN PUGILISTIC HULL

In Garcia’s 126 lb. title win over Orlando Salido, while he controlled the bout from the onset and knocked Salido down four times throughout, it’s hard to forget that after an accidental headbutt appeared to break his nose in the eighth round, Garcia and his corner appeared to lobby the ringside physician to stop the bout.

Knowing that they were well ahead on the scorecards this was a wise move. Even though Salido was far behind and needed a knockout, he looked to be turning the tide. It will be interesting to see how he deals with adversity if it arises on Saturday.

BURGOS ALSO COMES FROM A FIGHTING FAMILY

Burgos is himself a good fighter, whose lone loss came at the hands of Hozumi Hasegawa (33-4, 15 KOs) in a featherweight (126) WBC title try in 2010. He is the nephew of former WBC light flyweight (108) champion Victor Burgos. He has a one and a half inch height advantage, and can fight tall, but also loves to go to body. He should put up a good account of himself on Saturday night in HBO main event.
Kevin Perry